Abstract: A pilot study was conducted to identify nurses' attitudes and concerns pertaining to the care of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Data was collected using an anonymous voluntary questionnaire , which was made available to all nurses at a Wellington area Health Board (New Zealand) hospital. Of 652 nursing staff, 286 (51%) responded, of which 74 (25.9%) had previously attended an HIV/AIDS workshop for Area Health Board staff. Of those staff handling blood, 132 (49.4%) always wore gloves, and only half of the respondents (n=148.51%) treated all body fluids as potentially HIV positive. The possible attrition rate from nursing positions in the canvassed hospital ws 2.8%, with a further 43 (15.0%) undecided about resigning from their post. Only 36 nurses (12.5%) believed the employer did not provide adequate safety measures. The provision of education regarding HIV/AIDS, by the employer, ws considered inadequate by 61 (21.3%) respondents. This study demonstrates that further safety and education needs should be attended to or reinforced

Abstract: This research focuses upon the lived experience of Diploma of Comprehensive Nursing Students in their final clinical experience. It is generated from the narrative of the students, how they experience their practise, how they make clinical judgements and how they prepare themselves for their graduate practise. Twenty one participants were each interviewed three times throughout a 6-8 week clinical experience in an acute care setting

Abstract: A description of the interaction between Public Health Nurses and stressed families that include children. It includes the perspective on the relationship of both the Nurses and the families ending with a classification of the goals of the service

Abstract: This phenomenological study described the lived experience of patients within a surgical secondary care setting, and explored patients' perceptions of nurses' practice. The participants in the study were five adult patients who experienced a period of hospitalization within the surgical secondary care setting.This study was influenced by the work of Patricia Benner (1984) who entered the lived world of nurses' practice, through description of nurses' clinical exemplars. In this study, a qualitative research approach was used to enter the lived world of the patient within the surgical secondary setting.The research approach followed Max Van Manen's phenomenological hermeneutic method of 'Researching Lived Experience". This approach includes turning to a phenomenon of concern and interest to the researcher, investigating the experience as it is lived, reflecting on essential themes that emerge from the investigation, describing the phenomenon and bringing it to speech. The data that emerged from the participants stories of their experiences with the surgical secondary care setting, revealed four essential themes. These themes included 'feeling valued', 'human to human contact', 'two way communication', and 'feeling safe'. These themes provided insights into the participants' perceptions of nurses' practice.The participants' stories revealed a range of perceptions about nurses' practice, and the extent to which nurses in their practice valued the patient, had human to human contact, kept the patient informed and ensured patient safety. The themes revealed times when nurses' practice was perceived as dependent and powerless, in the face of, traditional views of womens' work, and the hierarchical and beurocratic constraints of the institution. At times it was also hidden from view, missed or misunderstood. Despite this, nurses' practice was seen as the central and pivotal point, from which the participants were able to make their recovery

Abstract: A qualitative study of factors affecting four registered nurses participating in continuing education.Data was collected through unstructured interviews and then analysed using themetic analysis The data revealed that the nurses had ambient feelings towards the benefits of post registration nursing education and that these were many work related, supervisal, and financial and logistial barriers affecting their ability to participate in further study. The nurses were also disturbed and frustrated by a lack of clinically based programmes for them to attend. Implications from this study are discussed and recommendations are presented

Abstract: This study identifies, describes and generates a theoretical explanation of what it means to be a Nurse educator in New Zealand in the 1990's. It explores individual experiences within the broader social context. Sixteen participants from three Schools of Nursing in New Zealand were interviewed over a four month period. Constant comparative analysis of data eventuated in the identification of four conceptual categories named as : being a teacher, settling down, finding a place and coping with change. They were then drawn into the core category – Being – in- Becoming. Being – in- Becoming, means in this study, that a person is the Nurse teacher simply because that person has taken on the work of a teacher. In being a teacher, the person is adapting, changing and learning how to become a teacher. Being – in- Becoming, is a process which is on going, never ending, and constantly changing. The essence of this study is that the teacher's experience of Being – in- Becoming. is influenced by personal development and the way the person comes to 'know' about the world of Nursing education who is also intimately connected to the way Nursing curriculum is defined and experienced by individual teachers. These findings have implications for Nursing education , in recognition of teacher's concerns, background meanings and problems which influence a person's experience of being a Nurse educator. Expectations that feelings should be 'managed' therefore ignored is consistent in a group which claims caring as the essence of Nursing practice. Excessive workloads are constantly cited as a major problem for worker. The organisation has the responsibility to acknowledge the human experience of those who work within this area and to undertake to respond in ways which can improve the situation for all

Abstract: An exploration of the nature of nursing knowledge in practice. The praxis methodology was inspired by the Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness and evolved through the process of the research. The methodology was eventually presented as both the process of research and practice. Five families were visited in their homes five times to talk about what was going on for them. All were experiencing a time of great upheaval in family life. After three visits a summary text was constructed merging researcher statements and parent quotes and given to the families. Through the subsequent reflective discussion significant insights into family pattern were shown in statements of intended action to change how health matters were managed with greater facility in family living. The process was presented as five themes with descriptors representing a non-linear, discontinuous progression: A moment of partnership: parameters of entry and closure, a timing of upheaval in family life, and an in-forming capacity through the bringing together of family story-telling and researcher's theory. An evolving dialogue: a progressive flow of enfolding and unfolding, and its embeddedness in contexts of socio-economic status, gender and health care culture. Recognising pattern: incidental revelations and an all-encompassing insight as the potential for action. Expanding horizon: moving from being on a treadmill trapped in the present without vision to having a view to a future, the presence of past and future. Increasing connectedness: a sense of inclusion, inter-dependence and generally, transformation in family life. This was a framework for personal practice